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Thursday, September 02, 2010

Welcome back, Sharlene. I love the peek at the space where you write. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?

Tender Vow is a contemporary romance birthed purely from my imagination. It didn’t require a lot of personal research, as the story’s setting is Northern Michigan, my home state. Writing historical stories is a whole different matter. For instance, the historical series I’m currently working on for a 2011 release has a Wabash, Indiana, setting, so I had to travel there to meet with city officials, historians, librarians, and the museum curator.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?

I have some book-signings and short talks coming up in Grand Rapids in October and November and a tentative date set for a women’s Christmas tea at which I am to serve as keynote speaker. Aside from that, I’m booked for a 2-day women’s retreat in the fall of 2011. Of course, I’m looking forward to the 2010 ACFW annual convention in Indianapolis in September.

And I'm looking forward to spending time with you in Indianapolis. If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?

The only town I would ever want to move to would be Grand Haven, the setting for my Daughters of Jacob Kane Series. Currently, I live in Spring Lake, a small town separated only by a bridge from Grand Haven. I know, not very adventurous, but here’s the thing. Family, church, and friends are everything to Cecil and me. We cannot imagine leaving West Michigan. In other words, God would have to move a mountain to convince us He wanted us to leave. We’ll go if He calls us, yes, but we better be really, really sure of His call.

I totally understand that. If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?

Never allow those rejection letters to discourage you to the point of quitting. Okay, you can quit for a day or so, but then jump right back into it. If you have a strong urge to write, and you believe in your heart God gave you a passion for it, then chances are good you’ll publish someday. The trick is to keep plugging away. Honing your skill takes hours of hard work and study, not to mention attending conferences, reading in your genre, joining critique groups, and learning the industry. Pray, pray, pray. If God wants you published, it will happen, but bear in mind, it’s all about Him and His perfect timing.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related]

Wow, a free cruise? This is my kinda vacay. Oh wait, I’m in charge of the entertainment? Well, since it’s my cruise, then I think I’d go with a Christian environment. Why not? For starters, I gotta have the hilarious Mark Lowry (and I also want him sitting at my dinner table every night), and since we’re talking about Mark Lowry, I’d just as soon have the Gaither Vocal Band perform on stage every night. Wouldn’t mind a little bit of Buddy Greene on the harmonica either. Okay, I’m good with that. Who wants to jump on board with me? It’s a 7-night cruise by the way, probably the Bahamas, and of course, the sun will shine everyday, and the waters will be crystal clear. You did say this is my cruise, right, Lena?

Of course, it's your cruise. Where can I sign up? With that lineup of some of my favorite people, it'll be a sell-out. Tell us about the featured book, Tender Vow.

Here is a brief synopsis of the book: Michigan-born brothers John and Jason Evans take a ski trip to the Colorado Rockies, but only one comes home alive—John is tragically killed on a daring descent down Devil's Ridge, an infamously dangerous slope.

In an attempt to soothe his guilt and grief, Jason sets out to make amends with his widowed sister-in-law, Rachel, by offering to help with her two small children, doing odd jobs around her house, and trying to ease her own heavy burden of grief. A new Christian, he is bent on growing his faith and helping Rachel see her way through the fog of pain and confusion.

Left to raise her three-year-old daughter and newborn son on her own, Rachel Evans is anything but willing to become her brother-in-law's charity case, particularly since they have a history she'd rather forget. She's determined to make it on her own but soon finds that God has other plans for her--and for Jason.

Can she accept the Lord's leading and still honor her late husband's memory?

Oooo, I like it already. Please give us the first page of the book.

September’s azure skies were his canopy as Jason Evans whizzed north on US-31 on his way to his parents’ house. Unfortunately for the cluster of cows he spotted standing off in the middle of what should have been a grassy field, days of smoldering heat and a lack of rain had turned the rolling hillsides as brown as straw. He adjusted the radio dial from mellow rock to talk, then moved the AC knob up a notch. For some reason, he tilted the rearview mirror down to check his appearance. He wasn’t a vain man, but even he wasn’t blind to the new wrinkle in his forehead. Probably due to his years of squinting at the sun on the slopes. Candace said it lent to his ruggedly handsome appearance. Right.

Tuesday would be his thirtieth birthday, one reason he’d agreed to join his folks for Sunday dinner. He wasn’t in the celebrating mood, but he’d decided to come for his mom’s sake. She always had been big on birthdays, even going so far as to buy Rosie, the family mutt—some kind of terrier/poodle/spaniel mix—a bone when her special day came around.

Jason felt his cell phone vibrate in his pocket. Keeping his eyes on the road, he pulled it out, then glanced down at the number. “Hi, Candace,” he said, looking back at the road.

“Hey! How’s your drive going? Are you almost there?”

“A few more miles. What’s up?”

“Does something have to be up for me to want to talk to the man I love?”

He gave an absent smile and silently berated himself for his lack of tact. “Are you on break?”

Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

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50 comments:

Hi Sharlene, I love your book already. The storyline is one that can happen at any time to anyone. Death does change lives every day. I am so glad I discovered Christian authors so I can read a great book and not have to skim or skip over parts of the book I do not to read. Have added Tender Vow to my wish list and you to my new author list. Thank you for giving us a choice in our reading materials.

Hi, everybody! Wow, I just checked in for the first time and found 12 comments already. You guys are just wonderful. I have loved reading all your kind remarks. Thanks so much. Wishing you could ALL win a copy of Tender Vow!

I can hardly wait to read it!!! I would LOVE to win a copy but for sure will still buy it if I don't! I am only a few books short in my MacLaren collection! :) Not for long! I've already put them on my Christmas wish list! Thank you so much for sharing your writing! May God bless you and your family! *HUGS*

You guys are just great. I'm having so much fun reading your comments, but, Linda, a GFC follower? Huh? I should probably MOST DEFINITELY know what you're talking about and will kick myself later for having this brain freeze. The only thing I can think of for GFC at the moment is Great Food Contest. haha.

Laney, I LOVE writing stories about overcoming tragedies through God's grace, mercy, and strength. I'd say most, if not all, my books have that thread. Our weakness is made perfect in God's strength, and usually the people we encounter who have brick-strong faith are the ones who've been through the fire.

Well now, I got so interested in reading and I don't know what's coming next!! I need to sign in for the giveaway for this book. I know the title of the book is how the story will be - tender. Sounds like a very emotional and wonderful read. Thanks for the chance to win...I hope I do!

I love the relationship drama genre and I'm already a Sharlene MacLaren fan, so I'm eager to read Tender Vow. I also enjoyed the cruise ship question and totally agree with your choices. I have the utmost admiration for Mark Lowry and he would have to sing "Mary Did You Know"!

Just came from visiting Sharlene's blogsite where I met and read a story about her dog Peyton. She wrote a very close comparison of his fears and how she dealt with them, to our own fears that we've prayed about and need to remember that the fear has been prayed about and God is in control. I just had to write a response to her about our dog Jenny who also has fears. I'm certainly looking forward to reading "Tender Vow" as soon as possible, so I hope I can win. Thanks Lena.